The Woking operation is yet to give any indication of its 2015 drive line-up as it re-unites with Honda.

"Right now, my interest is to race in F1," said Button.

"You have a tough day and it hurts like hell because you want to be competitive and fighting, but then you have a reasonable qualifying and you are back on track.

"You want to race forever. In F1 the emotions are all over the place - it is highs, it is lows.

"I have lived my life like that for a long time and I want to continue my life like that.

"I am young and fast and enjoy what I do for a living, and I don't want that to change."

McLaren have a long-standing reputation for playing hard-ball in contract negotiations.

In some cases, as it was with Lewis Hamilton just over two years ago, fundamental misjudgements have resulted in the loss of key talents.

(Photo: PA)

Despite his long-standing relationship in 2012 McLaren attempted to negotiate a salary cut for Hamilton's new contract and the blunder resulted ultimately in a bidding war with Mercedes for his services - and they lost.

Button is known to be highly rated among McLaren's rivals. Stefano Domenicali was among his fans before he quit Ferrari and Christian Horner has praised the Englishman but Daniel Ricciardo's startling form means there is no space at the team for the forseeable future.

McLaren boss Eric Boullier said he is happy with the team's current line up but the identity of the pairing will be made, ultimately, by Dennis.

"Jenson knows the important thing is to score as many points as he can," said Boullier.

"He doesn't have to prove anything as he is a world champion and has won many races for McLaren.

"We need to be realistic as well, because in one, two, three years we may need to refresh our driver line-up and obviously we will be seeking the best drivers at that moment in time."

BUTTON'S OPTIONS

McLaren

His most likely berth in 2015 although the silence at McLaren is ominous.

Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg contracts for next season and neither is going to leave a team in such a rich vein of form.

Red Bull

The imminent departure of Adrian Newey makes this team a less attractive option than in the past but they have two two strong drivers contracted for 2015.

Ferrari

Kimi Raikkonen's problems make his seat the one most likely to become vacant at Christmas. Would they rather go for their protege Jules Bianchi than proven champion Jenson Button ? Does Alonso have a say ?